P00731.003CFS1914 during World War I

Point Cook, Vic. C.1914-08. Trainees, instructors and staff (the full complement?) for the Australian Flying Corps (AFC) first flying training course which began 1914-08-17. They are pictured in front of a BE2A aircraft in a hangar at the Central Flying School. Left to right: back row: A. W. Murphy (Mechanic), W. Lord (Caretaker), L. G. Carter (Mechanic), N. Dyer (Mechanic), R. Mason (Mechanic); Middle Row: Sergeant G. J. W. Mackinolty, V. Ronald (Clerk), Sergeant G. Fonteneau (French Mechanic For Gnome Engines), Sergeant E. Shorland, Sergeant S. Heath, A. M. Pivot (French Mechanic For Gnome Engines); Sitting: Warrant Officer S. J. Hendy (Storekeeper), Lieutenant (Lt) G. P. Merz, Captain H. A. Petre, Lieutenant E. Harrison, Captain T. W. White, Warrant Officer Richard Henry Chester; Front Row: Lts Richard Williams, D. T. W. Manwell. Captain White, Lt Merz, Lt Williams and Lt Manwell were the four officers who qualified as pilots on this course. Major Petre and Group Captain Harrison, selected in England, had been given honorary commissions as flying instructors. (Donor M. Chester)